Romanian elections

News

The Mystic Candidate – Călin Georgescu’s Blend of Orthodox Faith, Mysticism, and Power

In this conversation at the Review of Democracy, Ionuț Biliuță discusses the connections between Orthodoxy and nationalism in Romania and to what extent they have influenced this year’s presidential elections; the revival of narratives concerning ‘fascist martyrs’ by Călin Georgescu and other radicals; the impact the 2018 Constitutional referendum on same-sex marriage had on radicalization; the ideas in transnational circulation that have inspired Georgescu's statements, including Alexander Dugin’s and those of Donald Trump’s Evangelical supporters; and the steps that the Romanian Orthodox Church could take to dissociate itself from far right discourses.

9.12.2024

News

The Rise of Călin Georgescu, Romania’s Neo-Legionary Presidential Candidate

Romania’s 2024 presidential race reveals again the troubling global rise of far-right populism. On December 8, Călin Georgescu, a pro-Kremlin independent candidate will compete with Elena Lasconi (USR- Save Romania Union). Yet, Georgescu’s rise did not come out of nowhere. As Adina Marincea demonstrates in this article, Călin Georgescu’s alarming advance reflects years of mobilizations by neo-legionary groups, Orthodox clergy, and Kremlin-aligned factions.

5.12.2024